The independent student news organization of Nicholls State University

the nicholls worth

The independent student news organization of Nicholls State University

the nicholls worth

The independent student news organization of Nicholls State University

the nicholls worth

Soccer team looks to play spoiler in last game of the year

Melissa+Pastalozzi+practices+with+the+soccer+team+on+Oct.+17.
Melissa Pastalozzi practices with the soccer team on Oct. 17.

The Nicholls soccer team will close out their season at home tomorrow against Stephen F. Austin.
The Colonels will face a tough task in the Ladyjacks, who come to Thibodaux with a seven-game winning streak and an undefeated record in the Southland Conference. SFA holds a 14-3 record for the season, while the Colonels stand at 5-12, good for first and last in conference, respectively.  
“They are arguably the best team in the conference,” head coach Dylan Harrison said. “We even had a chance to watch one of their better players this summer when she was captain for South Africa at the Olympics. They are a good team.”
Despite not having the season they hoped for in conference, Nicholls could end the season on a positive note by beating a team that has already clinched the conference and No. 1 seed in the Southland Conference tournament.  Harrison stressed that there will be no lack of passion despite the finality of the game.
“This is our home,” Harrison said. “Anytime we play here, we want to put in an effort and an attitude of trying to win the game. We are trying to do things the right way, and that means going for it. Every game we play, we are looking to win it.”
The Colonels dropped two close road games last weekend to Northwestern and Central Arkansas, each by a one-goal margin, an occurrence that has been all too common for the taste of the Colonels and fourth-year coach Harrison.
“It is just proving that we have been so close all year that we can play with the majority of the teams,” Harrison said. “Obviously ,if that is what we are striving to be, then we have to hang in there with the very best.”
Even lacking a win in the SLC, they have shown they can compete and stay in games against the competition. In seven conference games, opponents have been unable to score more than two goals on the Colonels, and in only the conference opener was an opponent able to win by two.
The Colonels will play the underdog in their season finale at the Nicholls Soccer Complex, though they have not given up on the season, according to Harrison. The team wants to win as a way to build for next year and thank their seniors at the same time, Harrison said. The team will be without two, Britni Crone and Carolyn Noble, after tomorrow’s game.
“They have been here the whole time,” Harrison said. “That is the group that I have grown up with, so we are definitely going to miss them.”
 The remaining players are expected to return though, including eight prospective seniors. Harrison believes that the season will pay off next year in increased cohesiveness and maturity from his young players.
“We are still relying on younger players to be the leaders, so it has been a learning process for a lot of our players,” Harrison said. “Every game I could name two or three players who have played really well.”
Harrison believes the experience gained in the season will “absolutely” help the team put away those close games in the future. The Colonels have been able to outperform teams throughout the season in many statistics, including shots and corner kicks, Harrison said, so the team will strive to translate those stats into wins.
“It is going to be that little extra,” Harrison said. “Hopefully, maturity and comfort, knowing our player roles and even playing with each other is going to help us win the games that we should.”

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Soccer team looks to play spoiler in last game of the year